Here it goes…

Pitchers

Drew Anderson, Tyler Buckley, Chris Burgess, Mitch Guellar, Robert Marcello, Shane Martin, Lino Martinez, Manny Martinez, Roman Oviedo, Jon Prosinski, Julio Reyes, Lee Ridenhour, Yacksel Rios, Keivi Rojas, Felix Santos, Josh Warner

Catchers–Corey Bass, Andrew Knapp, Gabriel Lino

Infield–Jairo Cardozo, Zach Green, Angelo Mora, Logan Pierce, Andrew Pullin

OF–Dylan Cozens, Sam Hiciano, Gustavo Martinez, Justin Parr, Jia Tromp

DL–Ervis Manzanillo, Ulysses Joaquin, James Birmingham

As everyone is aware the major league draft occurred occurred a week ago.  The first big wave of signings have come in and the big question is what type of player are these no additions to the minor league system.  Rather than go through them and try to make a snap decision based on limited knowledge and reports as to what type of players they are this is going to explore more the type of players that comprise a minor league system.

Prospects:

A prospect is a player that has the raw ability to have reasonable projection to be a contributor on the major league level.  This does not by definition  mean that prospect equals major league regular and it also does not include player who project only to get a quick cup of coffee in the majors. Continue reading What is a Prospect? →

A look at the time period of June 6th thru June 12th. As always, a minimum of 12AB’s for hitters to be considered.  Some random thoughts…When Utley gets activated should some thought be given to calling Asche up for a month while sending Howard to the DL and Young over to first?  I would hope Kelly Dugan is in Baseballtown come July…Tyson Gillies has fallen back into the same old thing….With his small frame, Hoby Milner is putting up some big numbers…I am beginning to get concerned about Shane Watson. Not panicked yet, but concerned….Very nice to see Diekman on the Hot list. The Phils desperately need a dependable LOOGY. Diekman isnt there yet, but another 5-10 good outings and maybe he gets the call…Finally, Steven Inch has the distinction of making the Not Hot List as a starter and reliever this week…On the bright side, he is an SAL All Star. Continue reading Hot or Not →

A good week for Lehigh Valley, who went 5-2 on the week and now stand at 33-32, and in 3rd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 4.5 games behind division leading Pawtucket.  The ‘Pigs have an off day Wednesday and then continue their home stand with four games over the weekend against Scranton before they leave for an eight game road trip.

‘Pigs Prospects: Darin Ruf’s homerless streak has now reached 100 plus AB’s, to go along with 25 strikeouts in his last 88 AB’s. He has had a nagging hand injury but that said, Ruf simply isnt producing in the manner necessary to get serious consideration for a call up.  After a three hit night in Game Two last night, Ruf is at .262/.339/.407 on the year with 5 HR and 30 RBI. Since May 1, Ruf is hitting .259 with just 1 HR. Ruf works very hard and has played LF quite capably, but this funk has led to a larger question mark next to his name in regards to big league potential. Continue reading Lehigh Valley Weekly Report →

Given that this is one of the first time in the past two weeks that I have worked less than 12 hours I thought I would write about the draft, and it kind of spiraled from there.

I want to start by thanking dcwildcat53 for posting the picks throughout Day 3 of the draft.

Your two biggest sources of information going forward are going to be Brad’s Draft Tracker which will remained pinned to the top until the signing deadline and the 2013 Draft Page.  We will work to add more content to both going forward to keep you up to date on signings and all other information you might desire about the 2013 draft.  Look for individual threads with major signings and news to pop up as we gain information. Continue reading 2013 Draft Thoughts (And other Random Phillies Thoughts) →

The ranks are thinning due to the myriad of injuries suffered throughout the organization…Here is what we currently are looking at in each level of the system.

Lehigh Valley

John Suomi, 32, Phils re-signed as free agent in 2013; Hitting .268 with 2 HR and 7RBI in 41 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley. 7 games caught without an error; 4 passed balls; 3/9 caught stealing (33%);  Suomi continues to serve in his designated role as a back up catcher wherever he is needed in the upper levels of the minors.

Cameron Rupp, 24, Phils 3rd round pick in 2010; (Reading) .245/.329/.455 in 143 AB’s; 8HR 21RBI; 9%bb/23% k rates, .106 vs. LHP, .266 vs. RHP, .324 with RISP, .271 since May 1.  32 games caught with 4 errors (.985); 2 passed balls; 8/33 caught stealing (24%); Rupp has developed well, and was rewarded with his promotion to Lehigh Valley with the glut of injuries at the catcher position.   Good defensively (receiving and calling the game) and his bat continues to show glimpses of real promise. Continue reading Around the System–Catchers →

Wanted to headline this one for all of you so no one misses it – 2013 5th Round Pick, LHP Ben Wetzler, is starting for Oregon State tonight in their deciding super regional game. The game is set for 10pm EST. Wetzler was good last Sunday, allowing 1 run, 4H, 4BB and striking out 10 in a 9-inning complete game victory over Texas A&M.

Now, Mike Stutes said this afternoon on Twitter that the contest will be televised on ESPNU, though my local listings don’t have it. I think it may turn out to be on ESPN2, superceding SportsCenter that’s still listed at that time, and if not, it may be online at ESPN3/WatchESPN if your cable company works with that service. If anyone finds a definitive answer on that, or sees it on their TV when it begins, please be kind enough to mention it in the comments.

18th round pick, RHP Dan Child is also on that squad, though I don’t see where he’s pitched at all in the super regionals. BA has nothing about an injury in their draft scouting report, so I’m not sure what’s up with him.

I am going to start by saying I really like what the Phillies did in the draft and they actually seem to be alternating pitching and hitting heavy drafts.

JP Crawford – Not much more to say here, best player available, and at a position of both need and overall scarcity.  Crawford may need some time but he comes in as an easy Top 5 prospect in the Phillies system.

Signing Probability (Slot – $2,299,300) – 100%, it might take the whole slot but this is the Phillies guy Continue reading Top 10 Round Recap →

30 picks today, Williamsport and GCL teams to fill and some HS players who might not sign

Below is an organizational review of leaders in several categories.  I am debating making this a monthly feature…Let me know your thoughts.

Hits: Maikel Franco (67), Cameron Perkins (67), Aaron Altherr (64), Cody Asche (62), James Murphy (60), Cesar Hernandez (57), Chris Serritella (55), Leandro Castro (53), Albert Cartwright (53), Roman Quinn (53)

Runs: Carlos ALonso (40), Aaron Altherr (34), Maikel Franco (33), Albert Cartwright (32), Art Charles (31), Roman Quin (31), James Murphy (30), Jermaine Mitchell (30);Cameron Perkins (30),  Brian Pointer (30)  Continue reading Minor League Leaders →